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National Endowment Grant Mon, Aug. 6 2007 OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN TIM WALBERG FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: MATT LAHR APRIL 11, 2007 (202) 225-6276 WALBERG ANNOUNCES $20,000 GRANT FOR JACKSON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WASHINGTON D.C. - U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) today announced $20,000 in grant money has been awarded to the Jackson Symphony Orchestra by the National Endowment for the Arts. The grant for the orchestra will enable students to work with composer-in-residence Dr. Jonathan Bruce Brown and musicologist Anna Celenza to explore and create music in an eight-week music composition program. "I am pleased to announce this grant which will further enrich music education in Jackson County," Walberg said BACKGROUND: The matching grants from the National Endowment for the Arts help support projects that involve the creation and presentation of artistically excellent work - both new and established. Projects include commissions, residencies, rehearsals, workshops, performances, exhibitions, publications, festivals and training programs. Guidelines are available at www.arts.gov. This grant was awarded in the category of Learning in the Arts for Children & Youth. ---- Matt Lahr Press Secretary Office of Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07) 202-225-6276

SAU Black History Month Celebration Tue, Jan. 31 2006 Brown's composition highlights Black History Month celebration Bruce Brown, chair of the music department, will be the honored guest at the Pioneers of Success dinner celebration at Spring Arbor University for his tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.: "Legacy of Vision: Martin Luther King." The event takes place in Ogle Dining Commons on Friday, Feb.10 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5. Sponsored by MICUP, the celebration includes dinner, a performance by the University's gospel choir, jazz music and poetry. Following dinner, Paul Patton, assistant professor of communication, will narrate the musical piece, while Audrejean Heydenburg, assistant professor of music, accompanies on the piano. The gospel choir will provide vocals for the performance. Brown began working on the tribute to King based on a recommendation from a colleague. Stephen Osmond approached him to write a piece honoring the civil rights activist in 1985. "He envisioned a huge chorus, made of people from all races and walks of life, joining in a celebration of Dr. King's legacy with a narration drawn from his speeches woven throughout," says Brown. "I have always found Dr. King's 'I Have a Dream' speech very inspiring and I relished the chance to set it to music," says Brown. "In writing the music I tried to capture some of the nobility, idealism and urgency with which Dr. King always spoke. I also tried to pay tribute to his power to move hearts and minds when he spoke of the tremendous need of all people for simple justice and commitment to a higher purpose in life." Nearly 20 years later, Brown's tribute to King continues to captivate audiences across the country. His piece has been played at the Cincinnati Music Festival and in Salt Lake City, Washington D. C. and several more cities from coast to coast. Brown's love for music stems from his childhood in a musical family. "I admire the imagination and creativity of many composers including Mozart, Beethoven, Mahler and countless others. I'm also inspired by great storytellers - and writers like Allen Chinen who wrote about the meaning of folktales. I think the pieces I write are often a lot like tales or parables." While "Legacy for Vision" is one of his better-known pieces, Brown has written more than 100 compositions throughout his career. In addition to his leadership and teaching roles for the the music department at SAU, Brown also serves as composer in residence for the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. He has been honored with several awards including the 1991 Sears-Roebuck Foundation Award for teaching excellence, and Faculty Merit Awards in 1988 and 1995. His compositions have also been recognized by annual awards from the American Society for Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) since 1992.

2006 Celebration of Martin Luther King Day Sun, Jan. 22 2006     Bruce Brown served as the keynote speaker for the 2006 celebration of Martin Luther King Day in Warsaw, Indiana, on January 15th.  His Legacy of Vision: Martin Luther King was the featured composition for the 18th annual event, which was attended by about 600 people despite a competing playoff game by the beloved Indianapolis Colts.     Dr. Frank Beard recited Dr. King's thrilling words as the Fort Wayne Youth Symphony performed the music under the able direction of Brad Thachuk.  The choirs from Warsaw Community High School, Scott Avery, director, and the Come As U R Community Church sang with spirit and passion.    The event was organized by the Committee to Commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King under the leadership of Lynn Pulliam and Joseph Banks.     Terra Brantley, the popular news anchor at Fort Wayne's WANE, served as a sparkling master of ceremonies.